IPL 4 12th Match Result: Gambhir smashed KKR Win by 9 wkts

Published on: Apr 15, 2011

On a roll with consecutive wins under its belt, a confident Rajasthan Royals would be bolstered by the return of in-form Australian all-rounder Shane Watson when they take on an unpredictable Kolkata Knight Riders

Series: IPL T20 2011

Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 12th Match

Toss: Kolkata Knight Riders, who chose to field first

Skipper Gautam Gambhir smashed his way to a blistering 44-ball 75, while Jacques Kallis struck his third consecutive fifty, as Kolkata Knight Riders drubbed Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match.

Chasing 160 to register their second win of the league after electing to field, Gambhir along with Kallis (80 off 65 balls) added 152 runs for the second wicket -- a league record-- to overhaul the target with nine balls to spare.

Ross Taylor provided some much-needed late fireworks to propel Rajasthan Royals to a challenging score of 159 in the IPL-4 match here on Friday. .

The Kiwi batsman tonked 2 sixes and 2 fours in a quick knock of 35 runs. he was supported in the end by Johan Botha who scored a run-a ball 12.

Ex Rajasthan Royals recruit Yusuf Pathan came back to haunt his old club by picking two wickets in one over. Rahul Dravid was clean bowled and Ashok Menaria was then caught and bowled by the hard-hitting all-rounder in the IPL-4 match here on Friday.

Earlier, Shakib al Hasan made sure that the Royals' steady start was only limited to 4 overs as the KKR left-armer outfoxed the young opener into a leading edge that was taken safely by Jacques Kallis at gully.

In the heat of a typically hot Friday afternoon at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Delhi Daredevils skipper Gautam Gambhir won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Shakib al Hasan and Brett Lee are drafted straight in to the KKR eleven after concluding the Bangladesh-Australia ODI series.

Watson, who was in destructive form against Bangladesh in the just-concluded three-match ODI series, will further strengthen Rajasthan's batting as well as bowling departments.

Watson scored a mammoth 294 runs against Bangladesh, which included a whirlwind 185 not out in the second ODI, including a world record of 15 sixes.

Rajasthan's batting has been the cornerstone of their victories in the opening two matches with South African Johan Botha playing the lead role with unbeaten knocks of 67 and 39.

Series Highlights:Most Runs Centuries Fifties Fours Sixes Wickets Catches

Under wily Shane Warne, the Royals have started their IPL-4 campaign in great style, comfortably defating Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils by eight and four wickets respectively in their first two games.